PSG Beats Bayern, Advances Despite Musiala Injury \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the Club World Cup semifinals with a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich. A late goal by Dembélé and Doué’s strike sealed the victory. The match was marred by Jamal Musiala’s horrific ankle injury.
Quick Looks
- Final Score: PSG 2, Bayern Munich 0
- Goal Scorers: Désiré Doué (78’), Ousmane Dembélé (stoppage time)
- Red Cards: Willian Pacho, Lucas Hernández (PSG)
- Injury Highlight: Jamal Musiala suffers severe ankle injury
- Semifinal Matchup: PSG will face Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund
- Tribute: Dembélé honors Diogo Jota after goal celebration
- VAR Drama: Two Bayern goals ruled offside, penalty overturned
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (66,937 attendance)
- Context: PSG won UEFA Champions League five weeks prior
Deep Look
Paris Saint-Germain edged past Bayern Munich 2-0 in a Club World Cup quarterfinal thriller marred by tragedy, triumph, and high drama. Played in front of a near-capacity crowd at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the match delivered top-tier football but was ultimately overshadowed by the horrifying injury of Bayern’s young phenom Jamal Musiala.
The result itself was historic. PSG, still riding high from their 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan to win the UEFA Champions League just five weeks earlier, continued their trophy charge with a gritty performance that combined flair, discipline, and resilience—especially after finishing the match with only nine men on the field.
The breakthrough came in the 78th minute following a moment of brilliance from João Neves. The Portuguese midfielder stripped Harry Kane of possession near the halfway line, then initiated a precise give-and-go sequence that left Bayern’s midfield exposed. Neves then threaded a ball to Désiré Doué, who struck a low, curling shot from outside the box with his left foot. Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, seemingly screened, reacted late as the ball skipped past him inside the far post.
For Doué, the goal marked a career milestone, but PSG’s jubilation was short-lived. Moments later, Willian Pacho received a straight red card for a reckless studs-up challenge. As Bayern pressed forward, Lucas Hernández compounded PSG’s crisis by elbowing Leroy Sané during an aerial challenge—earning a second red card and reducing PSG to nine players with over 10 minutes remaining.
Down to two fewer men, PSG faced relentless pressure from a Bayern side throwing everyone forward. The German champions had two goals disallowed for offside—one from Kane and another from Sané—and a potential penalty awarded in the dying seconds was overturned after a video review. The frustration boiled over on the Bayern bench as every opportunity was denied by either the linesman or VAR.
Against the odds, PSG sealed the match in stoppage time with a spectacular counterattack. Achraf Hakimi—who had been sensational all evening—picked up a clearance near midfield and embarked on a mesmerizing solo run. Dribbling past five defenders, he reached the edge of the box before laying off to Ousmane Dembélé for an easy finish into an open net.
Dembélé celebrated by sitting cross-legged in a poignant tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who along with his brother was killed in a car accident days earlier. It was a moment of solemn respect in a match already filled with emotion. Prior to kickoff, both teams held a minute of silence in Jota’s honor.
But all of the match’s brilliance, tension, and tactical intrigue were eclipsed by the horrific injury sustained by Jamal Musiala late in the first half.
As the 22-year-old chased a loose ball near the byline, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma rushed off his line to claim it. In a split-second decision, Donnarumma dived at Musiala’s feet, colliding violently with the midfielder’s left ankle. The contact sent Musiala tumbling, his ankle twisting grotesquely as he fell.
The reaction was instant. Teammates and opponents alike recoiled in shock as Musiala rolled over in agony, his foot unnaturally bent—a clear indication of a serious fracture. Donnarumma initially walked away with the ball but froze upon seeing Musiala’s injury. Dropping to his knees, the Italian goalkeeper looked visibly shaken and had to be consoled by teammates.
Medical personnel rushed to the scene with a stretcher as the crowd fell silent. Musiala was stabilized and carried off the field, as players from both sides walked toward the locker rooms in stunned quiet. The remainder of the match was played under the shadow of the injury, with Donnarumma heavily booed by Bayern supporters every time he touched the ball in the second half.
Post-match, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany expressed heartbreak over the incident. “I have a feeling that the injury is something very unfortunate for Jamal and the entire team. We all saw what happened, and it didn’t look good,” Kompany said. He confirmed that Musiala had been taken directly to a local hospital, where early reports indicated a clean break of the ankle, likely ruling him out for the rest of the year.
For PSG, the result cements their reputation as Europe’s current dominant force. Despite late-match adversity, the French club showed grit and unity—two qualities that had often eluded them in past tournament runs. With this win, PSG moves on to face either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals, set for Wednesday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Achraf Hakimi was arguably the man of the match. His defensive efforts were tireless, and his late assist showcased his offensive brilliance. “We do what we have to do to take the victory,” Hakimi said. “Bayern are a strong team, very similar to us. It was a really good game.”
The match was also a showcase for Atlanta’s readiness to host the world. With 66,937 fans packing the venue, it was the highest attendance recorded during the six-match Club World Cup showcase in the U.S. The city averaged just over 43,000 spectators per match—well above expectations and a promising indicator ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In terms of officiating, the match was tight but fair. While Bayern’s coaching staff bristled at the disallowed goals and the overturned penalty, video replay supported each call. The refereeing crew managed a highly emotional, high-stakes contest with measured authority.
Yet all of that may fade in memory compared to the image of Jamal Musiala, one of football’s most promising young stars, leaving the field in agony. It was a cruel turn in what was meant to be a celebration of international club football—and a sobering reminder of the physical risks players face at the highest level.
As PSG advances and Bayern regroups, the football world awaits further news on Musiala. His injury casts a long shadow over an otherwise electrifying match—a night that brought both brilliance and heartbreak in equal measure.
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